The 25 Best Characters on The Last Kingdom

12) ERIK

Ready for a bad guy you can’t help but love? The Viking warlord Erik (Christian Hillborg), the handsome and thoughtful brother of the maniac Sigefrid (Bjorn Bengtsson) fits the bill. Erik is all Viking, but unlike the bloodthirsty Sigefrid, Erik can be compassionate, and understands that Danes and Saxons will eventually have to co-exist in England. But don’t let his teddy bear side fool you; Erik is one hell of a fighter and feels at home in the midst of a brawl.

Erik eventually forms a delicate bond of respect with Uhtred, a bond that will later force him to question his loyalties. He’s also smitten with his prisoner Aethelflaed, and she with him. But his love for the Saxon princess tears apart his relationship with his brother, who senses the mutual attraction. The captured Aethelflaed is key to the Viking invasion of Wessex, as her massive random of gold and silver will fund an army with which the Danes can take the land. Sigefrid tries to diffuse the situation by putting Aethelflaed in a cage and hanging it in the great hall of Beamfleot, making rescue impossible. But the lovelorn Erik teams up with Uhtred and attempts the mission anyway.

Sigefrid barges in as Erik is rescuing Aethelflaed, and brother fights brother. The infuriated and agonized Sigefrid kills Erik, and pursues Uhtred and Aethelflaed.

We’ll miss Erik’s warmth and swagger, so ably portrayed by Hillborg.